Dawn Batson was fantastic from start to finish. From our first phone call, we could tell that she was an exceptionally good listener, who heard what we were looking for and was able to meet us there. She is calm, kind and knowledgeable. She paces out clients responsibly enough so that we never had to worry whether or not she would have time for us when labor came (and our son was 10 days early) and if she were sick or couldn't be there, she knows all her backup doulas very well and is even starting a collective with them! In the lead up to the birth, Dawn was there to offer any advice we needed, and she gave us extensive instruction on the different ways the day might go. When the birth finally came, we had a number of unexpected scenarios, and Dawn was able to offer an informed perspective on what to expect, as well as what to push for and against at the hospital. She ultimately helped us make a very difficult decision, and if she hadn't been there, we firmly believe we'd still be debating whether it was the correct one. But she was there, and while it wasn't in our initial birth plan, we were happy with the choices made, and we now have a healthy baby boy. In the post-partum period, Dawn was always there to answer questions and offer support. She once again gave well-rounded advice on what to expect, as well as practical tips on dealing with a newborn. We really can't recommend Dawn enough. We've had friends who have had questionable-to-bad experiences with their doula, and that seems like it would be a nightmare in the very moment when you need the most support. When we have another child, we will be hiring Dawn again. For us, she was an ultimately indispensable and crucial part of the birthing process. read more

I wasn't familiar with doula work during our first pregnancy -- which I regret. Dawn completely changed our postpartum experience the second time around. Every time she arrives our toddler lights up, and my wife is visibly relieved. She taught our newborn to fall asleep (and continue sleeping!) in his crib which, before she started working with him, seemed like an impossible feat. She prepares snacks and breakfasts for us -- including a stack of really great, freezable breakfast burritos and tiny muffins for our older child. She's also funny and generous with her praise, which lifts the spirits on the more exhausting days. It has been such a relief to have someone with so much experience supporting us -- we can ask her advice on anything about the newborn and toddler, and she always has an honest, empathetic answer or suggestion to help us figure out a path forward. And she has endless stories to let you know you're not alone in your anxieties or struggles. Dawn will keep you sane and help your newborn grow into a healthy baby. She's the best! read more

I was pregnant with my 4th child and wanted a Hypnobabies birth for the 2nd time around. My first time around I was in transition using Hypnobabies when I asked for an epidural for a Pitocin induced birth. This time around I was really manifesting a spontaneous birth with no Pitocin and no epidural and still using Hypnobabies. I was sure this time around was going to be different. And I was right. Dawn's energy and spirit were evident from our first Facetime. She was calming and nurturing and I knew I didn't have to look any further. I feel like I happened upon finding her and I now know why. Because this was my 4th pregnancy I didn't have many of the first time mom questions so our communication was minimal and we touched base as needed. At one point I felt like I was behind in my Hypnobabies tracks and I texted her kind of stressed and she talked me down and let me know all would be ok. And it was. The morning of my guess date my water broke and I texted Dawn who guided us on what to do and checked in as needed. When we met her at the hospital she helped us set the atmosphere in the room and discuss with the nurses what I wanted. There were 2 times throughout the entire 14 hour birth that I said "I would normally ask for an epidural by now" but it wasn't the same feeling that I actually needed it like it felt at my last birth. I credit Dawn for helping coach me through the waves with encouraging words, warm packs on my back, cold washclothes on my neck and helping my wife to know what to do to help. She guided me through different positions and gave me counter pressure that was MUCH needed. It was everything I had imagined needing. I got the birth I dreamed of and I know if it weren't for her it would've been a different experience.She helped us with a few crazy errands and cooked up some delicious broth and kitchari during my postpartum days. It was such a help! I highly recommend Dawn!! read more

Ever meet someone that is doing exactly what they're put on this Earth to do? That's Dawn. Her years of experience and her innate abilities are of the highest order. I felt completely at ease with Dawn from our very first meeting. She's smart, kind, funny, and knows so much about the birthing process and motherhood. She asked me a lot of important questions so that I could fully find my vision for birth. She made herself available to any questions I had, no matter how silly they felt. All along the way she gave exercises and reading recommendations that made me feel prepared for D day. During labor she was a source of comfort, kindness, laughter, and strength. I can't say enough about how at ease my husband and I felt around her. She feels like an old friend who just happens to be a high priestess of the birthing process. She had so many tricks for increasing my comfort, even when I completely lost my mind towards the end when I went into intense back labor. It was her encouragement and words that locked in for me and got me through the most intense experience of my life. She was gentle but firm in her words and snapped me back into my body enough to dig deep and deliver my baby. She was with us for something like 27 hours, and I never saw her exhibit signs of exhaustion or a dip in her sunny disposition. This woman is an actual angel. She brought my placenta pills while we were still in the hospital (def recommend! I really felt a difference) and even brought a couple of things to help our baby who had jaundice. She checked in with us several times during the first days and weeks and gave us recommendations for a craniosacral therapist and a chiropractor when we asked. I felt so supported! Some doulas with only a year or two of experience have the nerve to charge the same or more than Dawn, who has more than 10 years of experience. I still can't believe her prices are so fair for the work and dedication she puts in. This is an expert level professional, cloaked in a kind-hearted beauty. She lives and breathes birth and motherhood. It doesn't get any better than Dawn! read more

Doulas do Love - Childbirth Education Near Me

Dawn has been an incredible emotional and logistical gift to our family. I did not have a doula for my first pregnancy, and now I cannot fathom having another child without Dawn's support. She brings a wealth of knowledge, patience, intuition, and empathy to her work, and as a result I, my husband, and my children are all healthier. Our 20-month-old loves their walks to look at butterflies -- and I love the space and time those walks give me to bond with our newborn. She taught the newborn to fall asleep in his crib with a caring, non-cry-it-out method, and his ability to sleep on his own has given me essential time without a baby on my body. She finds so many small tasks which make our lives easier -- preparing single serving overnight oats and chia puddings for nusing snacks and breakfasts for the toddler. Folding laundry, swinging by the grocery store, cleaning out the fridge. She's had great advice for solving all the little things -- weird baby poops, setting boundaries between the two kids. She's also a committed, thoughtful listener, and as it turns out, you really need that after any kind of labor.  I can't recommend Dawn enough. Her support will make you feel like the hard days are doable and the good days have enough space and time to really feel your joy. read more

Dawn is the one and only. Intuitive, kind, wise, so so informed and educated about everything birth - home, hospital, c-birth, medicated, drug free- all of it. She can predict your needs and wants and will be on your side and support whatever you want. If you are lucky enough to find that Dawn has time to be your doula know that you've hit the jackpot and sign up right away. read more

I live in South Korea, but went to LA to give birth to my second child so I could have the help of my family. With my first baby, I had a doula and gave birth at a birth center and wanted to find the same in LA. I found a wonderful natural birth center, interviewed a few doulas, and found Dawn as my match. Finding a doula that vibes with you is very important as she is the person that you look to in your most vulnerable moment to provide support (aside from husband/SO/etc). My husband is wonderful, but I needed another person to be my strong support and help me through labor pains since I went drug-free. I needed someone to encourage me to keep going and help me through the pain. My husband was always there and present for both births, but being a birth attendant isn't his strong suit. Things I looked for in a doula were: 1) experience and knowledge about drug-free birth, 2) knew hypnobirthing or similar techniques as this is what I used with my first child, 3) being able to be my only support in case my husband didn't arrive on time, and 4) didn't live too far from me or the birth center. Things I love about Dawn: 1) She was always present and in the moment when I am talking to her. 2) She was always available whenever I had questions or needed help. 3) She made me feel like her only client and gave me all her attention. 4) She took the time to get to know me so we would feel comfortable with each other (important since she saw me in all my glory). 5) She went above and beyond what most other doulas do, such as working overtime during my prenatal stage and other little extra touches. Dawn was amazing at guiding me through labor of my second child. She came early in the morning when my water broke at dawn even though labor hadn't started yet. Regular contractions didn't hit me until 2pm, but she stayed all day (delivered at 7pm). With Dawn's birth preparation recommendations (mainly inversions and hypnobabies audio) and her in-person support, I labored mostly at home (8cm by the time I reached the birth center) and with way less pain than I did with my first child. I am so grateful to have had Dawn by my side and successfully had a drug-free, relatively easy delivery of a 9 pound baby girl! If you are looking for an attentive and knowledgeable doula, Dawn is it. I love her so much. If I have another baby in LA, I will look for Dawn again. If my sister gets pregnant, I am going to encourage her to hire Dawn. You only want the best for your baby, and she is the best to help bring your baby into this world. read more

Dawn was such an awesome resource and guide during my birth! I highly highly recommend anyone getting her. And not just for folks who want a natural birth! I was epidural and hospital birth all the way, and she was critical to my and my husbands well being during labor :) she was supportive and provided guidance and comfort in all the right ways. I liken having a doula to having a personal trainer who is also a masseuse--dawn made me go into positions that were not exactly comfortable (so I would never have done it myself without her guidance) but also soothes me with heat packs and taught my husband where and how to massage me to reduce the pain :) the positions helped accelerate the birth and when I got to the hospital I was just exactly the right part of labor to get a epidural. I had a birth without pitocin (which apparently is rare if first time mom or epidural) and baby came really fast-- which I credit to dawn! read more

Dawn is phenomenal. If you're pregnant right now and considering hiring a doula, or if you're postpartum and looking for extra help, look no further. I spent a lot of time researching doulas and debating whether or not to spend the extra money to hire one, but I'm so grateful I found Dawn. Working with her was one of the best decisions I made during my pregnancy, and I can't recommend her more highly. Dawn exudes patience, compassion and a deep maternal wisdom. She has years of experience and a wealth of knowledge about birth, postpartum and infant development. After a lot of thought and research, I knew I wanted to do a natural birth at home, but I also knew that I would need support and guidance in order to feel fully safe and empowered. My husband and I took a Hypnobabies class, learning a form of deep meditation and self-hypnosis to help me through labor and delivery. Dawn has a lot of experience with Hypnobabies, which is how I first came across her name. She was completely supportive of my birth plan and had a lot of useful advice throughout my pregnancy, including daily exercises to get my baby into the best position for birth. I ended up going past my due date and was being pressured by my doctor to induce, which I really didn't want to do. Dawn sent me several evidence-based articles relevant to my situation and talked me through my options, making me feel empowered and supported during a moment when I felt scared and vulnerable. I ended up not inducing and went on to have the most beautiful natural birth at home, exactly as I had envisioned. During my labor itself, Dawn was an absolute godsend, making both me and my husband feel safe, relaxed and fully supported. Dawn is a pillar of gentle strength and support, and she gave me the tools and confidence I needed to have the birth I wanted. Even several weeks postpartum, Dawn continued to check in with me, answering questions and offering reassurance and guidance. I am so grateful to have had her by my side during the most profound experience of my life, and if you choose to work with her, you can rest assured that you'll be in the very best hands. read more

Dawn was an incredible doula and support system through my pregnancy & birth, I don't know what I would have done without her! She has the most calming presence & is incredibly knowledgeable. Not only did she provide me with a great deal of educational material and info, she was always one phone call or text away answering any question I had (no matter how silly my 'first time mom' questions were, she had an answer, suggestion and recommendation for everything and truly went above and beyond). I had a vision in mind for the way I wanted to bring my baby girl into the world and Dawn was one of the main reasons that vision came to fruition. I really wanted a natural, vaginal birth and to let my body do what it was made to do. My doctor and I didn't see eye to eye as he was convinced that I would be induced and/or have a C-section (for no good reason!). Dawn helped me to respectfully navigate that relationship from doctors appointments to the birth. She made me truly feel that I had a choice and a voice, like I did not have to succumb to the pressure of the medical system that so often takes a blanket approach to childbirth. She always asked about my appointments/ test results and knowing My pregnancy was perfectly healthy she empowered me so much. I've truly never felt stronger than I did after I delivered my beautiful, full term, incredibly healthy baby girl. She came to my house after my water broke, helped to naturally bring contractions on and guided me through every step of the process (she even slept in my room timing my contractions!) until it was time to go to the hospital. She was there right by my side every step of the way, she was like my best friend, sister and doula wrapped into one:) never would I have thought that a stranger would be so welcome during such an intimate life experience or that I could say 'I love you' to someone I've known for just months but when I thanked Dawn for all she had done and told her I loved her I 100% meant it!! I'm so grateful for her spirit and genuine caring, she is forever part of the most incredible day of my life. I hope to be blessed to get pregnant again and if I do Dawn will be part of my birthing team again read more

Dawn is the best! After interviewing a handful of other doulas and not finding the right fit, our friends, who used Dawn as their doula, recommended her. We are grateful for that recommendation because Dawn was amazing and we couldn't have imagined our birth without her. Prior to the birth, we met several times to discuss questions, strategies and plans for the birth. As first time parents, we didn't know many of the procedures or interventions so Dawn walked us through these and sent us links to videos or studies where we had questions. She did not force any agenda on us for birth. She was there to support us in our choices. During the birth, we were most worried about having unnecessary medical procedures. We were so grateful to have Dawn there to navigation some complications we faced. Long story short, epidural issues led us to needing pitocin and a vacuum. Dawn helped worked with us and the doctor so we only intervened where absolute necessary. And, we were able to avoid a c-section, we feel, all due to Dawn. Highly recommend Dawn for her doula services. If we have another, we will definitely be calling her up! read more

We are very lucky and so grateful to have had Dawn help our little family during one of the most challenging times in our lives. Postpartum during COVID was rough and we will always appreciate Dawn's kindness, intuition and unwavering gentle nature. She was our sisters and friends who couldn't visit rolled into one, always understanding what was needed at that moment. Nothing fazed her. Thank you for the plates of food, making space for sleep, for your wisdom, for keeping our plants alive, for your unwavering strength...Thank you for looking out for our little bear, who is no longer that little, but crawling about like a sweet explorer. We couldn't have asked for anyone else to steer us through the storm so we could come out the other side stronger and sunnier! Dawn is an authentic and very special doula, your family will be very lucky to have her. read more

I can't recommend Dawn enough! If another pregnancy is in our future I hope she will serve as our doula again. Her presence was always calming, nurturing and supportive, which is exactly what I needed during the last few weeks of pregnancy and labor. As a first time mom, I had a lot of "is this normal", "are these contractions", "did my water break?" type of questions and Dawn was always available to share her knowledge and offer advice. She was always quick to respond to any text/email/phone call, even through several false alarms. What I most appreciated was the pre labor prep work with Dawn. She is very knowledgeable and took the time to explain all aspects of what to expect during labor, ie pain medication, massage techniques, etc. Prior to meeting with Dawn, I had a list of absolute "musts" and absolute "I would never want that", but as expected, the unexpected is bound to happen and I was glad Dawn took the time to explain how some of the items on my "I would never want that" could be important and useful tools to move labor along. Without Dawn, I believe it would have been a very unnecessarily painful and difficult labor. While Dawn did every she could during labor to guide me through the birth I invisioned, including asking questions that I didn't even think or know to ask and providing alternative ideas during labor, pretty much my entire birth plan went out the window and I ended up having to have a c-section. I'm glad Dawn stayed and was there during the operation. I was pretty terrified of having a c-section, so having her there standing behind me with her hand in my shoulder reassuring me that the baby was fine and I too was fine, was something I really needed. There are a lot of people and moving parts during and especially after the operation, so after the birth while my husband was with the baby, having Dawn's calming presence letting me know the baby was fine and I was okay meant everything to me ! read more

This review has been a long time coming, we welcomed our son into the world just over a year ago in July. Dawn served as our birth doula and also provided us with postpartum help on a regular basis for the first five months. She is one of the most genuine and caring human beings I have ever met and I am so grateful to have had her by my side during this time in my life. She brings an abundance of kindness and joy, an exuberant love of babies and a wealth of knowledge and resources. Her experience and compassion form a lovely balance between empirical knowledge and the more spiritual side of things. When we first found out we were pregnant, I knew I wanted to try for a natural birth, but because of limitations with our health insurance it needed to be in a hospital setting. I doubted my ability to navigate the combination of the two because in my mind they seemed to be in contradiction of each other. My husband and I decided to hire a doula. After interviewing a couple of different women, we were referred to Dawn by another doula. Her sweet disposition, witty humor and quiet confidence resonated with us immediately. I still remember the sense of relief I felt after leaving our initial interview. Throughout my pregnancy Dawn helped me feel balanced and confident as we prepared for the arrival of our son. There is such an overwhelming amount of information out there on every aspect of pregnancy and birth. Dawn was always available when any questions arose and calmed any fears that surfaced. She provided us with evidence based articles on a variety of topics to help us research and plan. My son's birth felt like it couldn't have been any more perfect or wonderful. Dawn knew when to be comforting, when to be firm and when to lay down options to help us through a few decisions without imposing any particular views. She was a constant grounding energy that balanced well with the support of my husband. Dawn checked in on us for our first postpartum visit while both our families were cycling through town. She brought amazing nourishing food, helped with breastfeeding questions and talked me through so many different things that had come up emotionally and physically since the birth. After a month or so, visits from our family trickled off and we found ourselves with very little support as my husband went back to work. I'm not really sure how we would have made it through those first few months without Dawn. She came by once or twice a week and helped pick up so many of the loose ends around the house. She cleaned, did laundry, prepped meals for the week, helped with sleep training, gave me the opportunity to have some time to myself and the list goes on. The transition to motherhood is a beautiful but humbling time. Dawn's kindness, light hearted humor and first hand experience as a mother herself, really helped me feel normal about all the things we were going through. She is truly devoted to the work she does and I could not recommend her more. read more

Dawn is amazing. She's generous, present (so present, always), calm, confident and nurturing. In deciding which doula to choose (after interviewing 3), I realized I wanted someone who felt like a peer, someone I could feel very comfortable being vulnerable in front of. Dawn is definitely that person. She was such a rock for my husband and me throughout my whole labor and delivery, plus afterwards. She came over and cleaned and brought us food. So so helpful! My birth didn't go as I had hoped, but Dawn helped me heal the pain and disappointment I felt because of it. She even wrote my birth story for me from her perspective, which made me see how strong and powerful I am, despite the birth not going exactly as I wanted it to. Dawn went above and beyond what I thought any doula would do for us. She stayed with my husband and me the entire (long ass) labor, encouraging us and making sure all was well. She took great photos for us too! I told her to raise her prices because she's way too freakin knowledgable and generous to charge as little as she does! She also knows a lot about Spinning Babies and great ways to prepare for labor, plus how to navigate the early crazy days of parenthood. Dawn will totally speak up on your behalf to whomever is helping you deliver the baby, and will be there to answer your questions after the baby is born (I had a lot of questions!). Dawn is a wealth of resources and support. Her generosity astounds me, plus I just love hanging out with her! As others have said, she is most certainly an angel :) read more

DO NOT CALL THIS BUSINESS TO BE YOUR DOULA. She completely robbed me of my money and I didn't see her one after she received the money, other than her 10 minute birth kit drop off at the hospital she never showed up at again. When I was being rolled off for my scheduled c-section she had been made aware of, that she had agreed to be at the hospital for to support us as we have no family here and paid thousands and put our trust in her hands..... and you know what she said when we told her over the phone the c-section had been scheduled, which she had 6 hours notice to show... she said, "well it's a good thing we didn't waste our time on all that birthing education." Yes, that's right, all that birthing education we paid thousands of dollars for?! She also, while there to drop off the birth kit, got me to get on all fours, expecting a stretch instruction, she laid her hands on me without letting me know or asking and moved my body, which I have a spinal fusion disc replacement in my lower back she knew about, she moved my body in a way that caused my sciatica and my back pain to flare up immediately. It was excruciating and I just waited until she left and the nurse upped my pain meds. I could not believe she didn't even come back to get her birth kit. While being induced for labor and about to be rolled off for a c-section, I had to worry about taking down all the stupid lights and putting everything she had in this huge bin that was overloaded. My husband was forced to leave my side to deal with her birth kit, it is four months later and she still hasn't gotten the birth kit. I finally tried to take it out my car and hurt my back doing so. I asked her to pick it up multiple times. All these positive reviews are fake and robots she paid to have written about her. Don't believe a word of it. If she was such a good person, is such a good person, she'll do the right thing. Then I will let you guys know she made things right, otherwise, I know for a fact she is a Terrible person who did terrible things to me and my family at the most vulnerable time. Her goal is for the baby to avoid being put in the nicu, well my baby was in the nicu for 6 weeks. She was negligent, assaulted me, robbed me and my family, and has failed to make it right. This business is not one to trust at your most vulnerable time. read more

Dawn. Is. The. Best. FYI: This review is for her time as a postpartum Doula for us (not a birth Doula). So we had a baby that was 7 weeks premature, mom was in hospital 10 days before birth, baby was in hospital 20 days after birth. By the time we took him home we were SO wiped out and physically and emotionally exhausted - but had a teeny weeny still should be in the womb needs to eat round the clock baby - and we decided it was time to look for some help! We had really no intent on postpartum help and had no clue what we would need / how many hours / for how long. Dawn got it. When we first met other doulas wanted signed contracts and Dawn said most postpartum clients have changing needs as baby changes so we could just take it a week at a time. She has literally been the best thing to happen to us (aside from having a baby). She helps all three of us all the time. She keeps our life together. And in a time when everyone is so vulnerable we feel more than comfortable having her in our personal space. She's become part of the family. If you're considering Dawn just definitely go with her. There isn't anyone better. read more

Look no further! Hire Dawn if you are looking for a doula! One of the best decisions my husband and I made as first-time parents was to hire Dawn. Having her as our doula helped us have the most positive birth experience and bond us over this magical moment. During an interview with her, Dawn said "I was put on earth to be a doula". I can easily vouch the statement. We interviewed a couple doulas and decided to go with her because she has extensive knowledge and experience of about 100 births but also seems to have such a nice way of sharing personal space. Yes, we were so right about her. During my doctor visit, I found out water was already partially broken, but contraction had not started. Inducing labor was not a part of our original plan, so I was upset to find that my doctor wanted to start inducing right away. When I let Dawn know about it, she calmed me down and suggested me to ask my doctor if I could go for a walk (which sometimes helps start contraction). Unfortunately, my contraction did not start naturally after a couple hours of walking and relaxing. Then, my doctor asked me to take this inducing oral pill, which I had never heard of, we consulted with Dawn. She quickly gathered the facts for us to determine if that was a right choice for us. My pushing lasted for more than three hours, which was physically and emotionally exhausting. In the middle of the push stage, I was getting so tired and worried because the baby's head was not coming out. She helped me change my positions, held my hand and leg, and told me I could do this. As you can imagine, birth is one of the most intense and intimate life events with full of unexpected. You and your partner are vulnerable and emotionally heightened. Even though our birth did not go according to our "plan", having Dawn helped us ask right questions to the doctor (who understandably suggests things from liability and efficiency perspectives), make best, informative decisions, and feel safe and comfortable with what was happening to my baby and my body. At the end, we really felt like we were in charge of our birth. She is always available and supportive. She brings loving yet firm energy. She has both extensive knowledge and soft skills where she navigates your birth well between you and your doctor. We loved her so much, we ended up having her as our postpartum doula. She took care of our baby as if he was her baby and proactively helped us all the things around the house so we can get some break. We cannot thank her and recommend her enough. Our birth and postpartum would have not been the same if she was not our doula. Thank you, Dawn! read more

Dawn is an ANGEL. I was referred to her during my "fourth trimester", when my baby was 6 weeks old. I was still really struggling, and suffering from postpartum anxiety, and a friend recommended that I talk to Dawn. She immediately came over to my apartment, lovingly held my baby and told me to go get some sleep. THANK GOD. She helped me emerge from the darkness, and for that I am eternally grateful. She is so thoughtful and knowledgeable about so many different aspects of childcare, and has since given me advice about gentle sleep training tips/tricks, how to introduce solid foods, info about fevers / colds, etc. I am so glad I can consider Dawn a friend for life and a brilliant person to ask for advice as my baby grows up. If and when I have another baby, I will be sure to hire Dawn to be there the entire time, for prepartum, birth AND postpartum help. read more

Dawn is the most amazing doula and human. We became acquainted at 4:30 AM the day my daughter was born, as she was standing in as backup for my pre-arranged doula. They say that your birth goes how your birth is supposed to go, and that certainly felt like the truth here. Dawn showed up with such a calm presence that within 20 minutes of meeting she had sent my husband to bed, leaving me, his laboring wife, with a veritable stranger in the middle of the night. She talked me through everything she was doing, gave me choices, asked for consent before touching me, all in ways my laboring brain could understand and felt comfortable with. It felt that night like she was some mix of the conductor of a symphony and a witch, predicting the future. The truth is, she understands labor. She is an expert. She was able to guide me through it, giving little heads ups and insights as to what might be coming soon, just before it happened. This made the totally foreign, and at times terrifying, experience of birthing a human a little less so for me, a first time mom. She helped spin my baby to make labor significantly easier. She anticipated my needs. When the time came she woke my husband to help support as well, helping guide him in how to be most supportive to me, and alleviating some of his fears. She knew when it was time to call the midwives. She knew when it would be most helpful to get into some warm water. She just knew. And I was able to focus on labor. That's all I had to do. And I'm so grateful. She asked if I wanted her to take photos and I asked her to, and they are some of my most treasured possessions. I have to wrap this up but if I were to have another baby, I would want Dawn there - not just as my backup doula, but from the very start. She's amazing, truly. read more

Dawn has been a fantastic doula and friend throughout our pregnancy and after. From our first time meeting Dawn we were struck by her passion for what she does as well as her calming presence. Meeting with Dawn before our due date was helpful not only to hear what she had to teach us but also to be able to ask questions and have a more calm environment to go through concerns then at the drs office. In fact Dawn brought up some subjects that we hadn't even thought to ask our Dr! She is a great sounding board for any concerns you have and will help guide you to find YOUR own answer with no judgments. She truly wants you to figure out what and how you want something done and will be there with advice and research to help guide you through these difficult decisions. I ended up having an emergency csection and Dawn was there, to help me with latching and navigating through the process. She stepped in with the hospital staff to advocate for us and try to make sure that everything happening was what we wanted. Postpartum she checked in on us and has been a wealth of information! She helped show us how to bathe our baby without her crying (opposite of how it went in the hospital!), brought us treats and has been available to answer any questions i have come up with no matter how big or small. She has also watched the baby while i do some things to take care of myself- which is so important and helpful in the healing process and to being a better mom! My husband and i feel so lucky to have met Dawn and to have had her alongside us on this journey, we can't imagine what it would have been like without her. We would recommend her without hesitation to anyone who is looking for a doula. read more

Dawn was my doula for the birth of my son in Dec. & since then I've recommended her to literally every pregnant person I know (or that I see!). She was wonderful. She was calming and funny and a true support not only for myself, but for my husband. I was most impressed with her approach to all of our questions (and all of the variables!). She encouraged us to explore our options and shared her expertise where appropriate, but I also felt like she was in complete support of any informed decision we made. There was no anxiety or conflicting priorities - she was really there as a support and resource for us. I wanted to labor at home for as long as possible (which made my husband nervous) and with Dawn's support I never felt confused about where I was in the process. She came over, stayed for as long as she was needed, would leave and then come back if we wanted space. It was ideal. When we went to the hospital she was there the whole time, and she was able to provide the calm energy, control and clarity that I had been concerned would be missing from the hospital setting. My birth took a hard left at the end of a long labor and I ended up with a true emergency c-section. I have to say that up until they wheeled me into the operating room Dawn was basically my indispensable translator. The doctor & nurses were distracted doing what they needed to & Dawn would come up to me and explain everything that was happening, so even when it got a little scary I was never in the dark. She also made sure I drank enough water and that my husband ate snacks! ALSO, she was a wonderful postpartum doula. She helped us with acclimatizing, she came to give me little baby breaks (they've very boring when they're new and you're very tired). She did grocery runs. She even helped us sleep train when we were ready. IF NOTHING ELSE HIRE HER TO DO THIS. Her approach is as gentle but direct with that as it is with everything else. Also she's a beautiful photographer, so that's a bonus. We have some treasured photos of the experience. Basically, I'm a huge fan and my birth and first few months would have been a totally different experience without her - I am eternally grateful! read more

Dawn is one of the most amazing people I have met. She helped me survive and thrive during the first few months after my daughter was born. My husband travels a lot and I was basically a single mom. Having Dawn's support kept me sane. I really appreciated all of the healing food she made, way she provided factual advice, and most importantly cared for our daughter. We are blessed to have Dawn in our lives then & now. read more

Dawn is a gift to pregnant and new moms and families. She comes at her craft from such a holistic perspective, like helping us first time parents prepare beyond just childbirth to look forward to how having a baby will change everything - and how we need to consider our roles at home as well as how to be good to each other as a couple. When it came to pregnancy, Dawn was there with evidence-based information and emotional support the whole way through - like when I thought I was in labor at 37 weeks and she talked me through how to test fake contractions from labor ones. When it came to our childbirth, Dawn exceeded our expectations beyond our dreams. No birth follows the plan but with Dawn at our side, we made decisions we have no regrets about and met the number one goal we had (for us: vaginal delivery). Dawn was not only our advocate and coach but had such an intuitive sense about what I needed and when, from helping clear the room when too many people were around to knowing when I wasn't comfortable with a medical option provided. She continued to support me during the postpartum period and did not let us feel alone on this journey. Even with a huge support network, Dawn is an indispensable part of the equation for us. She has deep wisdom, insane strength, and knowing intuition on top of her years of training and well-versed knowledge of pregnant women, babies and families. I can't recommend Dawn highly enough. read more

Dawn is magical. She helped me welcome my son into the world in August 2017, and I feel honored to have experienced that most profound passage with her by my side. Before birth, I had read countless books and prepared for birth in every way I knew how, but it was not until I met Dawn that I let out a sigh of relief, knowing everything would be okay. In the process of birth, there are inevitable surprises, and I knew Dawn could shepherd me through those with mindfulness and grace. In the sessions leading up to birth, she empowered my husband and me to feel relaxed and ready. For him she was a coach; for me she was a shelter. Dawn has a calm and gentle presence that immediately soothed my nerves. She infuses every interaction with softness and light, but these qualities actually belie the incredible strength at her core. This woman is a total bad-ass, deeply wise in the ways of pregnancy, childbirth and newborn care. She's an excellent listener and communicator and is beautifully devoted to supporting the parents' intentions for the birth. I'm so grateful to have worked with a doula who is capable of sharing her vast expertise without ever pushing her own agenda. When I went into labor at 3am, she was there on the phone, ready to meet us. When I encountered unexpected factors and had to answer some tricky questions (in my highest emotional state), she stayed strong and reminded me of my birth plan. She made sure that my husband and I were rested, hydrated and nourished for the duration of our birth experience, and she balanced sanctity and humor in a way that felt so right for the occasion. What a welcome energy. When, after my son arrived, I had a couple of hiccups with my own health, Dawn held my hand, locked eyes with me, and did not leave my side until I was absolutely okay. I couldn't have gotten through it without her. In the first days of my son's life, Dawn visited us, swaddled and rocked my son, brought us snacks, read the baby stories, taught us how to soothe him and took brilliant care of everyone in our home without us ever knowing she was there. That may sound strange, but she slips in and out like a fairy godmother, which -- if you have not yet had a child -- is exactly the kind of care you need! Her instincts are right on. She is one of the most unique and generous souls I've ever met. I recommend her to everyone! read more

We are so glad to have Dawn by our side as our doula. She provided knowledgeable and empathetic support throughout the process. I had a tediously long and unwielding labor. By long, I mean, I was feeling multiple inconsistent contractions Sunday afternoon till Wednesday night when I finally gave birth. Dawn came over Sunday night and helped position the baby correctly with her exercises. Her constant consideration and reassurance helped us get through the latent phase to my actual consistent contracting labor. She convinced me to face my fears of re-experiencing marital strife, as I was in denial of being ready at merely 37 weeks. When I finally connected with my husband as we slow danced through each contraction, Dawn came over to massage my sore back for hours on end at home and at the hospital. She coached me on the process and what interventions might arise. We went through every position possible for my labor to progress. I had a very hard time dilating and she made sure I was hydrated and well rested. When the time came to aid my progression, it was Dawn who convinced us that an epidural was the best choice to keep my goal of having a VBAC. Without her experience and knowledge, I would have surrendered to another c-section. We are perpetually grateful for Dawn's dedication to her craft and calming guidance in helping me experience the miracle of a vaginal birth. She continued to provide nurturing support for the month after and even took our 3 year old daughter to the park, as well as made us soup, to help us ease the transition. Dawn is a true gift to the birthing world. read more